ACC Director of Programs Linda Revilla talks candidly about how seniors are coping with the quarantine and how her staff is adjusting to the ever-changing situation.
ACC Raises $150,000 on the Big Day of Giving
The first-ever ACC Telethon took place on the Big Day of Giving, Thursday, May 7, 2020. ACC joined more than 600 nonprofits in the Sacramento region raising money for their respective causes. According to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, the total raised by all organizations was $11,965,229, far surpassing last year’s total.
Watch the ACC Telethon replay.
ACC Senior Services raised $150,000 in sponsorships and donations, setting a new record for money raised in a single ACC fundraising event. The bulk of the donations came in during the five-hour online telethon, which ran from 12 Noon to 5 PM on Facebook Live. ACC’s goal was to raise $75,000, a 30% increase over last year. But, by the fourth hour of the telethon, ACC surpassed that goal, at which time ACC President and CEO Darrick Lam issued a new goal of $100,000.
At 4:45 PM, Councilmember Rick Jennings appeared on the show and exhorted viewers to go big and reach $125,000. After all the mail-in donations were counted in June, the total reached $150,000.
The money raised will be used to help battle the impact of COVID-19 on ACC residents, participants of ACC programs, and more than 250 ACC employees. ACC’s COVID-19 prevention measures have been very costly in terms of staffing, supplies, and equipment.
“For the past eight years, ACC has hosted a ‘BDOG party’ at its campus during the Big Day of Giving,” says Program Director Linda Revilla, “However, the quarantine made this impossible, so we had to find an alternative. The telethon format was an obvious choice.”
A special workgroup headed by ACC Board Chair Jean Shiomoto assigned Ted Fong to produce the telethon, which led to the selection of three capable emcees: Mike Marando (ACC Board member), Linda Revilla (ACC Program Director, ACC) and Scott Okamoto (Marketing Manager, ACC Maple Tree Village). IT Director Perfecto Bravo came up with a plan to install a phone bank to receive donations during the show. The wheels were put in motion with only five weeks to prepare.
A host of staff and volunteers chipped in to help plan and staff the telethon. A TV studio was set up in the Community Room of ACC’s main campus with strict adherence to social distancing. All staff, volunteers, and on-camera talent had their temperatures taken and were required to wear masks before they could work.
The telethon went live on Facebook Live at exactly 12 Noon, opening with live music from guitarist/vocalist Michael Deneau, who is also the Memory Care Nurse Manager at ACC Maple Tree Village. He performed intros and outros throughout the show as well a special number during the show.
Emcees Mike Marando, Linda Revilla and Scott Okamoto introduced musical acts, conducted interviews, announced major gifts, and interacted with each other on camera like old friends. Throughout the show, the public posted comments on Facebook Live which were added to the live stream for all to see and enjoy.
Garrett Ashizawa and Nina Fong ran the video switcher, sound board, and managed the dozens of Skype video calls that had to be patched into the live stream. “It was a miracle. Every guest was connected to the live stream, we did not lose a single guest,” said Nina. Michael Yang ran the live graphics workstation. Allan Moua, Chris Fernando, and Alexa Mark operated the cameras.
The show had several technical glitches, some of them funny. The green screen arrived the night before, which gave the production crew very little time to practice with it. “Green screen mistakes are painful but oddly fun to watch,” said producer Ted Fong. “Our entire production crew had no prior work experience in TV or live production of any kind, yet we kept the show going for five hours. It was exhausting but fun.”
The live five-hour show had more than 40 produced segments including:
- Dennis and Janet Fisher, Banjo Ukulele Duo
- Jean Shiomoto, Japanese Flower Arranging
- Chef James Hutchins, How to Make a Peppercorn Bourbon Steak
- Gary Yee and Jane Nakagawa, Musicians
- Alexi Ishida, Singer and Actress
- Dani Joy, Recording Artist
- Maeley Tom, Interview
- Judge William Shubb, Musician
- Dina Morishita and Welly Yang, Broadway Musical Actors
- Journalists Lisa Ling and Laura Ling, Interview
- A Special Message from Howard Harris
- George Connor and Mary Nakagawa, Musicians
- Virginia Wieneke, ACC Rides
- Donna Yee, Bird Watching Talk
- Jeri Shikuma, ACC Job Training Program
- Soojin Yoo, ACC Social Services
- Hair and Makeup Contest
- A Special Message from Vicki Bezzone
- Yesenia Jones, ACC Greenhaven Terrace
- Kyle Fredrickson and David Troxel, ACC Maple Tree Village
- Shirley Stassi, Hula Demo
- Poonie Holst, Yen Marshall and Matthew Ceccato, Census 2020
- A Special Message from Rick Jennings
- Carla Fontanilla, Musician
- Music Video by ACC Care Center
- Music Video by ACC Maple Tree Village People
- A Special Message from Jimmie Yee
- Darrick Lam, Musician and President/CEO of ACC
- Rick Jennings, Special Appearance
- Michael Deneau, Musician
- APAPA Announcement of Donation of 4,000 Masks to ACC
- Koichi and Ellie Mizushima, Father and Daughter Singing Duo
- Elsie Yun, ACC Resident, Interview
- Linda Louie, Musician
- Jay Reynolds, Sacramento Guitar Society
- Sunny Jung, Pickleball Talk
ACC would like to thank its sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers and staff for making the 2020 Big Day of Giving and ACC Telethon a huge success!
Thank You to our Supporters!
PLATINUM – $10,000 and up
Anonymous Donor
GOLD – $5,000
Winston & Loretta Ashizawa
Patricia Harada
SILVER – $2,500
Nami Berg
Darrick Lam
Glenn Watanabe & Nancy Wai-Watanabe
BRONZE – $1,000
Vicki & Jeffrey Bezzone
Bruce & Emily Chapman
Brian & Jean Chin
James Chu
Stella & Paul Chuk
Tim & Tonya Corcoran
Peter & Susan Dileanis
Mas Hatano
Esther Hokama
James & Janet L. Hom
Joyce Iseri
Jeannie (Pickleball)
Clemet & Melinda Kong
Wayne & Lynn Kurahara
Beverly Lee
Heman Lee
Debi & Richard Llata
Phong Luu & Lindzey Dau
Mr.& Mrs. Willie Fong
Leland & Donna Ho
Kathryn Mar
Betty Masuoka & Robert Ono
Linda Cabatic & Cy Rickards
Debbie Seid
LuAnn Shikasho
Jean & David Shiomoto
Craig & Kathi Su
Chris Tomine & Jane Naito
Titus & Donna Toyama
Chiang & Ruth Wang
Dr. Gordon A. & Merrily F. Wong
William & Judy Yee
Donna Yee
Bruce Yoshida, Baird Financial Advisors
BRASS – $500
Jean Chong
Harold Arimoto (MAC Knife, Inc.)
Lora Connolly & Kathleen Meyer
Howard C. Harris
Grace Hatano
Jeffrey Hiratsuka
Ruth Hiyashi
Robert & Joanne Ichimura
Alan & Josie Kamei
John & Holly Korach
John & Helen Lam
Faustina Lee
Art & Sue Lim
Barry & Ricarda Lim
Linda Louie
Candy Mar & Ken Philipson
Michael McQuiddy
Stan & Debra Miyamoto
Pamela A. Mizukami
Sheri & Don Morishita
Stephen & Brenda Nagy
Lois Nishimura
Dean & Myra Okasaki
Dave & Kaori Sakauye
Melanie & Jenn Segar
Fred Taugher & Paula Higashi
Shigeko Tanaka
Janet A. Tedesco
Ronald Tom
Robert S. & Sharon L. Watanabe
William & Pat Lopez Watts
Frank Yamanaka
The Yangsters
Yee Law Group and Helen Yee
New Video: Everyone Counts in the 2020 Census
Asians and Pacific Islanders in Sacramento County are a large part of our economy and culture but often go uncounted in the Census. As a result, our community loses millions of dollars in Federal funding each year for schools, roads, healthcare, housing assistance, job training, and social services.
The 2020 Census takes only 10 minutes to complete and it is safe. You will not be asked about your citizenship, and your private information is protected by Federal law for 72 years. This multi-language video features Sacramento community leaders. Watch the video above or watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/MKJpkUYlQa8.
Special thanks to APIs RISE Foundation for funding the production. For more information on the 2020 Census, visit http://norcalcensus.org.
ACC Will Help with 2020 Census Operations
By Poonie Holst
The 2020 Census determines how congressional seats are allocated and how billions of Federal dollars reach communities across America. Money for schools, child care programs, roads, social services, and healthcare for seniors gets allocated based on population. The census takes place every ten years. So being counted is consequential and quite lasting.
The senior population in Sacramento has increased dramatically due to the aging of baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. From 2010 to 2020, the number of people 60 years and older in Sacramento County grew from 225,000 to just under 350,000. By 2030, the number will grow to just under 450,000.
ACC Senior Services co-chairs Sacramento County’s 2020 Census Older Adults and Veterans Committee with AARP to inform older adults and veterans about the census, which starts on April 1. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation gave ACC funding to hire a Census Coordinator to conduct outreach, make presentations, host events and talk to as many people as possible about the Census. Our goal is to make sure older adults and veterans are counted.
ACC Senior Services will host a Question Assistance Center during its regular business hours from March 12 to April 30 for people who need assistance completing their Census or have questions about the Census.
ACC Greenhaven Terrace, located at 1180 Corporate Way, Sacramento, will host a Question Assistance Kiosk (QAK), which provides a computer for looking up answers and completing the Census on-line from March 12 to April 30 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meals on Wheels will also host two QAKs:
Light of the Valley Church located at 9270 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Comstock located at 1725 K Street, Sacramento, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In addition, ACC will host three Census 101 workshops that will discuss the Census and how it impacts California and the Sacramento region, the three ways to complete the Census, and how to identify someone using the Census to scam you.
The Census 101 workshops will be held on: Wednesday, April 1, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Refreshments and party food to celebrate the first day of the Census will be provided.
Friday, April 10, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Tuesday, April 21, from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
These workshops will be held at ACC Main Campus, 7334 Park City Drive. To register, call (916) 934-6399 or pholst@accsv.org.
ACC Greenhaven Terrace Debuts Independent Living Deluxe
ACC is pleased to announce the introduction of “Independent Living Deluxe” at ACC Greenhaven Terrace. The program provides a host of hospitality services to GT’s independent living residents.
Launched on February 1, 2020, “IL Deluxe” offers two levels of service, Basic and Enhanced. Both include weekly bed linen service, four light housekeeping visits per month, meals, transportation, and daily touch-base check-ins. The Enhanced package provides a greater frequency of these services for residents who have higher needs.
“The program is wonderful and it’s great for seniors,” says resident Mitzi Erath. “The housekeeping has been the most helpful to me.”
IL Deluxe was developed by Yesenia Jones, Administrator at ACC Greenhaven Terrace. She hosted focus groups, surveying residents and family members to establish their needs. From there she worked with the ACC Greenhaven Terrace Committee to build the Independent Living Deluxe Packages.
“Our experience with assisted living at ACC Greenhaven Terrace inspired us to create more value for our independent living residents,” says Yesenia. “And so far, they’re liking it!”
For more information and rates for IL Deluxe, call (916) 395-0210 or email byamada@accsv.org.
ACC Hosts Sacramento Community Forums
If you could wave a magic wand, what would you wish for seniors in California?
While your wish may not come true immediately, it could work its way into the California Master Plan for Aging.
Governor Gavin Newsom is the driving force behind the Master Plan, to be delivered later this year. ACC President/CEO Darrick Lam is one of 34 professionals appointed to the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee (read story). Assisted by ACC Program Director Linda Revilla and Census Coordinator Poonie Holst, Darrick has held four “Sacramento Community Forums” since January.
At the Forums, community members share their ideas on what they would like to see included in the Master Plan. More Forums are being scheduled throughout Sacramento County.
Audience members of each Forum have given many different suggestions for the Master Plan. Reliable, integrated, ADA accessible public transportation is a popular suggestion. Affordable assistance in the home is an item that comes up often. Participants talk about the need for someone to help them do small chores, like changing ceiling lightbulbs or taking out the trash. People caring for an elderly loved one, or grandchildren, say they need information and assistance. And affordable housing has been brought up in each Forum. The need for more community resources is another frequently mentioned comment. Multigenerational programs and community education about the aging process, age-ism, and other senior-focused topics have been discussed.
One of the most intriguing suggestions is that there should be a “senior channel” on TV that would give information about resources and with programming geared toward senior interests.
Poonie Holst ends the presentations by addressing the need for everyone to participate in Census 2020, as much of the federal funding for social services and resources is allocated based on Census data.
To share your ideas at the Sacramento Community Forums, call ACC at (916) 393-9026 to find out when the next Forums will take place. Or submit your suggestions on the official website www.engageca.org.
Out of Isolation: Gary Wiemer’s Story
Gary Wiemer has two PhDs from U.C. Berkeley, one in East Asian Studies and the other in Psychology. He was also the general manager of the Sheraton Hotel just outside of Chicago for 20 years. He managed 300 employees. No small job.
When presidents and other VIPs came to town, Gary was the point man. “I got to know Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter,” he says while holding up photos they signed for him. “They stayed at the Sheraton whenever they were in Chicago.”
Gary recounts the time he was asked to stand with Ted Kennedy at a wedding, in which the senator was the best man.
It was also at the Sheraton where Gary met his wife Sue who was born in Japan. She worked in marketing. Her clients were mostly Japanese business people.
After retiring, Gary and Sue moved to the Bay Area to complete his second PhD in psychology. He performed clinical work, which he found very satisfying.
But in the mid 90s, Sue was diagnosed with cancer. She also had respiratory problems, which she felt was made worse by the salty air in the Bay Area. The couple decided to move to Sacramento.
Before long, Sue discovered ACC and became good friends with Virginia Wieneke who was just starting up ACC’s transportation program, ACC Rides. Sue became a volunteer in ACC’s then day respite program. Says Gary, “Being with other people was the best medicine for Sue’s condition. Sue worked with Anna Su and the two became very close.”
Eventually, Sue passed away. Gary and Sue didn’t have children, so there was no one he could rely on for support. Gary became withdrawn and isolated. It was a very different life for someone who was in the people business his entire career.
Gary decided he was not going to live the rest of his life alone. He reached out to Virginia for help. She introduced him to ACC’s social worker Soojin Yoo and to other services in ACC Programs. Gary now participates in Senior Yoga, Easy Tai Chi, Senior Workout, and other activities at ACC.
ACC has changed Gary’s life. He says, “You get involved in the programs and classes and you develop a relationship with people. You’re doing something together which is for your benefit. I live alone, but when I come here, I’m a different person. The connection with others with others so fulfilling. There’s a lot of empathy and happiness here.”
Donna Yee Attends State of the Union Address
“Dr. Donna Yee has consistently fought for our region’s seniors and has a longtime track record of service, advocacy, and care within our community. I am pleased to have her join me as my guest to this year’s State of the Union address,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui in January.
Donna Yee, PhD, is the former CEO of ACC Senior Services who served for 17 years.
Each year, Members of Congress can invite one guest of their choosing to attend the State of the Union address with them. These guests are often used to highlight key community members, their contributions, and issues of importance to the Member and their work in Congress.
President Donald Trump delivered his address on February 4, 2020. “It was my honor to join Congresswoman Matsui at the State of the Union tonight,” said Donna. “Her voice and leadership in Congress clearly reflect her tireless dedication to our country’s seniors and their families. I am happy to share this time together to discuss solutions moving forward.”
Congresswoman Matsui has been a leader on key issues including the passing of the Affordable Care Act and mental healthcare reform. She says that the Trump Administration, despite vowing to strengthen and protect Medicare and Social Security, has continuously attacked these essential programs by cutting spending, shifting costs onto beneficiaries, and limiting choices for seniors and their families.
Congresswoman Matsui is a champion of H.R.3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. The bill gives Medicare the power to negotiate prices directly with drug companies.
In the first six months of 2019, the prices of more than 3,400 drugs increased in the U.S. The average increase was 17%. From 2012 to 2016, the annual cost of insulin for a single patient increased from $2,864 to $5,075.
In October 2019, Congresswoman Matsui tapped on ACC President/CEO Darrick Lam to appear with her at a press conference in Sacramento where she announced H.R. 3 to her district. Darrick gave his perspectives on how much this bill is needed for seniors. The bill passed the House on December 19 and is now in the Senate.
Congresswoman Matsui invited Donna to the State of the Union Address not just to attend the speech, but also to advocate with her. “I was given a chance to speak about the bill’s impact on not only those with low incomes and in poverty, but more so for the majority of seniors who have moderate incomes and who are not wealthy,” says Donna. “I was asked to participate in an interview in a huge hall jammed with reporters, cameras, and all manner of networks and independent news outlets.”
ACC is proud to have current and past CEOs who are shaping national healthcare legislation. Darrick is also a member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
When asked about what she thought about her trip to Washington, Donna replied, “It was fun and I thoroughly enjoyed ‘hanging out’ with the Congresswoman.”
U.S. Department of Energy Shines Light on ACC
Congratulations to ACC Care Center for being featured in a 42-page report entitled “Measuring Light Exposure and its Effects on Sleep and Behavior in Care Center Residents” issued by the U.S. Department of Energy.
This study examined the effects of the tunable lighting system implemented at ACC Care Center. The objective was to test a strategy for measuring and documenting light exposure for typical residents and to evaluate the collected data in terms of multiple metrics for human circadian responses over the course of a day.
The research team hypothesized that residents were more likely to be affected by the nighttime tuned lighting than by the daytime tuned lighting, because the tunable lighting system was effective at dropping light levels and the blue-cyan content of the lights in corridors at night.
A BIG KUDOS to the Care Center Team and Dr. Scott Stringer, Medical Director, for their involvement with the ACC Tunable Lighting Project that was completed by the Brown University and the U.S. Department of Energy .
ACC would also like to give special recognition to SMUD for getting us involved with this project more than 5 years ago. Dave Bisbee and Connie Samla were key to getting us involved in Human Centric Lighting and providing us with grants funding from SMUD to do the lighting.
Thank You for Sponsoring ACC’s 12th Annual Crab Feed!
The ACC 12th Annual Crab Feed is this Saturday! Thank you Co-Chairs Debbie Seid and Lori Lee and all the sponsors who are making this awesome event possible. This includes an anonymous sponsor who gave $10,000!
EVENT SPONSOR – $10,000
Anonymous
PLATINUM SPONSOR – $5,000
Edge Electrical Consulting | Watch their sponsor video)
GOLD SPONSOR -$2,500
Maria Chin
SILVER SPONSORS – $1,000
CA State Senator Richard Pan, M.D.
Walmart
Mas Hatano
Rodney Ryugo
BRONZE SPONSORS – $500
CA State Assemblymember Jim Cooper
Klumpp’s Funeral Home
Proceeds will be used to fund ACC services for older adults including skilled nursing, memory care, home visits, transportation, and lifelong learning. Click here to make an online gift.
